The concept of the “zoo” was first introduced to Iran by Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, who brought it back as a souvenir from Europe. During his travels abroad, visiting zoos was one of the Shah’s favorite activities. In his memoirs, the Qajar king described the separation of wild animals into individual cages and the conditions in which they were kept. Among the animals he saw were a male, female, and baby hippopotamus; a large, unattractive monkey; a lion; a sea fox; elephants; rhinos; a maned lion; a black panther; tigers; colorful parrots; various birds; and very small monkeys the size of a “Soltanieh mouse.”

The Shah was particularly captivated by the animals’ movements and the ability of some to speak English and French. Upon returning from his first foreign trip, he decided to bring this novel idea to Iran. Thus, he established the Naseri Zoological Garden within the grounds of the Doshan Tappeh Palace in Tehran to house wild animals. This can be considered Iran’s first modern zoo.

The Naseri Zoo showcased various animals, including four lions from the Shiraz mountains, three tigers from Mazandaran, a cheetah, three leopards from Jajroud, five bears from Damavand, as well as hyenas, monkeys, donkeys, and peacocks. This initiative marked the beginning of zoos in Iran and is an early chapter in the country’s modern wildlife conservation history.

The first public zoo in the West was established in Paris in 1793. Visiting zoos became one of the most popular public entertainments of the time. However, the role of zoos has since evolved significantly. Today, they are vital players in global conservation efforts and environmental education. Zoos and wildlife parks actively contribute to species revival, raise environmental awareness, and educate the public. Modern animal transfers follow global standards tailored to each species’ specific needs.

Currently, Iran is home to 27 wildlife parks and zoos, 18 bird gardens, and 32 animal care centers. Properly managed, these facilities can play a vital role in protecting and conserving animal species. Around the world, zoos are recognized as essential institutions for conservation and environmental education.

In this context, Iran’s first National Zoo Directors’ Meeting was held last spring during Environmental Week. The meeting aimed to organize and standardize the country’s zoos while addressing various challenges. Zoo directors participated in self-assessments based on newly established evaluation criteria. Additionally, training sessions on these criteria, workshops on modern management practices, and consultations with provincial environmental protection offices were conducted to align efforts and improve zoo facilities.

A critical question remains: What is our approach toward these organizational efforts? Will we adopt a positive and constructive outlook, acting as facilitators for improvement? Or will we obstruct progress, halting momentum and undermining these initiatives?

One of the evaluation criteria for zoos is the age of the animals. Aging is an inevitable part of life for all living beings. Mortality rates in zoos are regularly reviewed by health and technical departments and reported to the Environmental Protection Organization. Any deaths caused by negligence are dealt with decisively.

However, the issue is more complex. Older zoos naturally house older animals, which means reports of animal deaths due to natural causes are more frequent. These occurrences, while inevitable, can sometimes lead to misunderstandings among the public.

Globally, zoos often announce the presence of elderly animals on their official websites. This transparency helps ensure that any subsequent deaths are attributed to natural causes, providing an opportunity to educate the public about the animals’ lifespans and conservation needs. Some zoos even hold events or launch public awareness campaigns around such moments, using them to foster environmental consciousness.

Fortunately, Iran’s Environmental Protection Organization recognizes the critical role of zoos in conservation, education, and raising public awareness about biodiversity. Despite the challenges, steps are being taken to evaluate and grade zoos based on conservation and educational standards.

While these initial measures may not immediately transform the state of zoos in Iran, they represent a promising first step. For these efforts to succeed, all conservation advocates must work together to ensure continuity and sustained progress.